A RUNCORN health and safety worker died after falling 150ft from a Scottish mountain.

Roger Westwood, 55, who worked for Ineos Chlor, fell while walking with a friend on Liathach in Torridon near Inverness.

Due to communication problems and poor weather conditions it took emergency services eight hours to get Mr Westwood, a keen walker, off the mountain following the accident.

He was airlifted to Raigmore Hospital, Inverness, after being rescued by members of the Torridon Mountain Rescue Team and a Royal Navy helicopter from HMS Gannet, Prestwick, but tragically lost his fight for life in the early hours of the morning.

Mr Westwood, of Gresford, had worked as a health and safety officer at the Runcorn chemical company for 29 years. He leaves behind his wife Sue, who is in poor health, and daughters Catrina, 15, and Megan, 13, who have been taken in by family friend Chris Macklin and his wife Lisa.

Mr Macklin said: 'We promised to look after them if anything happened to him about nine years ago when Sue became ill.

'When he asked us and we signed the forms I never thought anything would actually happen.

'Roger was my closest friend and we had so much in common. He had always been interested in walking and loved Scotland, he was also very experienced but I guess when accidents happen, they just happen.'

Jean Williams, licensee at Mr Westwood's local pub in Gresford, The Griffin, said: 'We're absolutely devastated, he will be sorely missed.

'I've known Roger for about 12 years and he became a friend to a lot of people at the pub.'

Mr Westwood's funeral took place on Tuesday at All Saints Church, Gresford, followed by cremation. Donations were collected for the Huntington's Society.